Double-blade ditcher



Ma 6, 1969 M. J. HYMEL 3,442,035

DOUBLE-BLADE DITGHER Filed Jan. 5, 1966 Sheet or s Mo/lse J. Hyme/ INVENIOR.

' J. HYMEL 3,442,035 v DOUBLE-BLADE DIT CHER May 6, 1969 Shea; 2, of S Filed Jan.

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Filed Jan. 5, 1966 Mo/lse J. Hyme/ INVENTOR.

I! y Ammqs United States Patent O 3,442,035 DOUBLE-BLADE DITCHER Moise J. Hymel, Box H, Gramercy, La. 70052 Filed Jan. 5, 1966, Ser. No. 518,961 Int. Cl. E02f 5/02, 3/85; Alb 59/048 US. CI. 37-98 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A ditcher blade assembly positioned by a tractormounted pivoted support for ditch digging purposes. A blade backing frame consisting of laterally spaced channels interconnected by triangular front braces mount rearwardly diverging blade sections from which lower cut ting edge portions project. The frame is adjustably positioned on the pivoted support by turnbuckle joints.

This invention relates to earth moving apparatus in general and more particularly to a ditcher blade assembly.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a blade construction adapted to be mounted on track laying vehicles or the like for the purpose of forming a complete ditch in one pass of the vehicle. Toward this end, a pair of blade sections are interconnected forwardly of the propelling vehicle and diverge from a forward edge rear-wardly, extending laterally beyond the vehicle so as to properly position cutting edge members along lower portions of the blade sections. The entire blade assembly is supported by a pivotal supporting structure mounted by the vehicle capable of displacing the blade assembly between a lowered operative position and an elevated position for transport purposes.

An additional object of the present invention in accordance with the foregoing object, is to provide in combination with a double-blade construction, a supporting and bracing structure for mounting the blade assembly on a vehicle in such a manner as to absorb the thrust applied to the blade during a ditching operation.

A further object of the present invention in accordance with the foregoing object is to provide in combination with a ditcher blade, supporting and bracing structure whereby the ditcher blade may be properly orientated relative to the supporting vehicle in order to effectively excavate a complete ditch in one pass of the vehicle.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a track laying vehicle mounting a ditcher blade assembly in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the arrangement shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a front elevational view of the vehicle and ditcher blade assembly shown in FIGURES l and 2.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the ditcher blade assembly and its mounting.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 5--5 in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 6 is a rear elevational view of the ditcher blade assembly.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 7-7 in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the forward portion of the supporting structure on which the ditcher blade assembly is mounted.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, and initially to FIGURES 1 through 3, it will be observed that the ditcher blade assembly generally denoted by reference numeral 10 is mounted forwardly of a supporting vehicle 12 of the track laying type by means of a supporting structure generally referred to by reference numeral 14. The sup porting structure includes a pair of side arm portions 16 pivotally mounted rearwardly of the vehicle by the supporting shaft 18, the side arm portions being interconnected forwardly of the vehicle by an angulated forward portion 20. The ditcher blade assembly 10 is mounted on the forward portion 20 of the supporting structure through which it is displaced between an operative lower position as shown in FIGURE 1 and an elevated position withdrawn from the ground so that it may be transported from one place to another. A pair of hydraulic cylinder devices 22 are therefore mounted by the vehicle on either lateral side thereof for elevating and lowering the supporting structure 14 in order to raise or lower the ditcher blade assembly. Suitable control valve facilities (not shown) will therefore be associated with the hydraulic devices 22 through which the vehicle operator may control the position of the ditcher blade assembly. The piston rods 24 which extend downwardly and forwardly from the hydraulic devices 22 are therefore pivotally connected to the supporting structure 14 by means of the pivotal bracket assemblies 26 mounted on elevated sections of the forward connecting portion 20 of the supporting structure.

Referring now to FIGURES 4 and 8 in particular, it will be noted that the forward portion 20 of the supporting structure fixedly mounts as by welding on top of the apex 28 a pivot bracket 30 while a clevis member 32 projects forwardly from the apex and is rotatably mounted about an axis which is generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the vehicle as will be further explained hereafter. Also fixedly secured to the top of the forward portion 20 of the supporting structure equally spaced from the pivot bracket 30, are a pair of pivot brackets 34. The pivot brackets 30 and 34 thus serve to pivotally mount the ditcher blade assembly in forwardly spaced relation to the forward portion 20 of the supporting structure as will be hereafter explained.

As shown in FIGURES 1 through 3, the ditcher blade assembly includes a pair of blade sections 36 and 38 which are interconnected along a forward edge 40 and diverge rearwardly therefrom at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Secured to each of the blade sections by fasteners 42 are cutting edge members 44 to form an imperforate blade assembly as shown. The cutting edge members project downwardly from the blade sections and diverge upwardly and rearwardly from the forward edge 40 so as to effectively cut and excavate a ditch. Each of the blade sections is also provided with a deflector portion 46 which extends at an angle to the blade section laterally beyond the cutting edge members in order to pile up earth on opposite longitudinal sides of the ditch being formed. In this regard, it will be noted that the cutting edge members 44 extend laterally beyond the vehicle 12 so that the vehicle will move through the ditch being formed forwardly thereof by the ditcher blade assembly and pack the soil in the bottom of the ditch so formed.

As shown in FIGURES 2, 4 and 6, a longitudinal backing member in the form of the channel 48 is secured as by welding rearwardly of each blade section spaced from the forward edge 40. A bracing assembly is also secured rearwardly to the blade sections between the longitudinal backing channel 48 in order to render the blade assembly most rigid at the portion thereof subject to the maximum thrust. The bracing assembly includes a. pair of horizontal, trangular plate members 50 and 52 interconnected by 61 vertical spacer plates 54. Thus, the triangular plate members 50 and 52 form a rigid assembly welded along two edges thereof to the blade sections bridging the longitudinal backing channels 48.

Referring now to FIGURE 7 it will be observed that the ditcher blade assembly is swivelly connected to the supporting structure at the apex 28 by means of a swivel connection about two perpendicular intersecting axes by means of a swivel connection including a swivel pin 56 rotatably mounted about one of the perpendicular axes parallel to the general plane of the supporting structure 14. The swivel pin 56 is connected at its forward end to the clevis 32 and is held assembled in the forward portion of the supporting structure by the collar 58. A connecting pin 60 extends through the clevis 32 about the perpendicular axis intersecting the axis of the swivel pin 56. The connecting pin 60 is received through one pair of a plurality of aligned apertures formed within journal extensions 62 which project laterally from a pair of vertical plate members 64. The plate members 64 are interconnected as by welding between the triangular plate members 50 and 52 of the bracing assembly and project rearwardly therefrom so as to expose the journal extension 62. Accordingly, the ditcher blade assembly may be adjustably connected to the swivel connection in order to properly orientate the blade relative to the vehicle in accordance with dilferent requirements.

The angular position or pitch of the ditcher blade asernbly about the axis extending through the connecting pin 60 is adjusted by means of a pitch adjusting turnbuckle device 66 pivotally mounted at the apex 28 of the supporting structure by the pivot bracket 30. A bracket 68 is therefore fixedly mounted as by welding to the top triangular plate member 50 of the bracing assembly and extends upwardly and rearwardly therefrom so as to mount a ball receiving socket 70 to which the turnbuckle device is universally connected. It will therefore be apparent, that the length of the turnbuckle device may be adjusted in order to obtain the desired pitch for the ditcher blade assembly before it is pivotally connected to the pivot bracket 30 by its pivotal connector 72. Similarly, the ditcher blade assembly may be laterally adjusted in spaced relation to the supporting structure by the turnbuckle devices 74 as more clearly seen in FIGURES 2, 4 and 5. Each of the turnbuckle devices 74 is therefore pivotally connected by a pivotal connector 76 to the pivot brackets 34 and are universally connected to the backing channels 48 by the ball socket receiving elements 7 8 mounted thereon. The ditcher blade assembly will therefore be supported in its orientated position at several locations designed to resist all forces and moments imposed thereon during the ditching operation. Thus the supporting turnbuckle devices 74 are pivotally connected to the ditcher blade as sembly in a plane disposed between the plane containing the perpendicular axes extending through the swivel pin 56 and connecting pin 60 and the plane containing the point at which the pitch adjusting turnbuckle device 66 is connected by the bracket 68 to the ditcher assembly. Vertical turning moments about the axis extending through the connecting pin 60 are thereby resisted. The disposition of the supporting turnbuckle devices 74 on either side of a longitudinal axis on the other hand, resists horizontal turning moments about the axis extending through the swivel pin 56. Also, the perpendicular axis associated with the swivel connection are positioned by the supporting structure relative to the blade assembly at a location for transmitting thrust to the blade for effectively excavating the ditch.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the inventoin. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In combination with a propelling vehicle having a pivotally mounted supporting structure, a ditcher blade assembly operatively positioned by the supporting structure comprising a pair of blade sections interconnected forwardly of the supporting structure along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle forming a forward edge and having lower edges, said blade sections diverging rearwardly from said forward edge at an angle to said longitudinal axis, an imperforate cutting edge member secured to each of said blade sections and projecting downwardly from the lower edge for engagement with the ground in an operating position of the blade assembly, longitudinal backing members secured rearwardly to each of the blade sections in spaced relation to the forward edge, pivotal support members connecting the backing members to the supporting structure forwardly spacing the blade sections therefrom, a bracing assembly interconnecting the backing members and secured rearwardly to the blade sections between the backing members, swivel means pivotally connecting the supporting structure to the bracing assembly about perpendicular axes parallel to the general plane of the supporting structure for lateral and vertical displacement of the blade sections relative to the supporting structure, and pitch adjusting means pivotally connecting the supporting structure to the bracing assembly above the swivel means for vertical adjustment of the blade sections relative to the supporting structure.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said supporting structure includes an angulated forward portion on which the pivotal support members and swivel means are mounted forwardly of the vehicle, said swivel means in- 'cluding a pair of vertical plate members projecting rearwardly from the bracing assembly in parallel spaced relation to the longitudinal axis, said plate members having a plurality of aligned apertures, a connecting pin extending through one pair of said aligned apertures through which one of said perpendicular axes extends, a swivel pin extending through the forward portion of the supporting structure about the other of the perpendicular axes intersecting the connecting pin and a clevis connected to the swivel pin and pivotally mounted on the connecting pin between said plate members.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said bracing assembly includes a pair of triangular plates secured to the blade sections in bridging relation to the backing members, and vertical spacers interconnecting said triangular plates above the cutting edge members.

4. The combination of claim 3 including deflector portions secured to the blade sections and extending laterally outwardly therefrom beyond the cutting edge members at an angle to the blade sections.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said pitch adjusting means includes a bracket secured to the bracing assembly and projecting upwardly therefrom above the blade sections, and a turnbuckle device pivotally connecting the supporting structure to the bracket.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said bracing assembly includes a pair of triangular plates secured to the blade sections in bridging relation to the backing members, and vertical spacers interconnecting said triangular plates above the cutting edge members.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said pitch adjusting means includes a bracket secured to the bracing assembly and projecting upwardly therefrom above the blade sections, and a turnbuckle device pivotally connecting the supporting structure to the bracket.

8. The combination of claim 1 wherein said pitch adjusting means includes a bracket secured to the bracing assembly and projecting upwardly therefrom above the blade sections, and a turnbuckle device pivotally connecting the supporting structure to the bracket.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said supporting structure includes an angulated forward portion on which the pivotal support members and swivel means are mounted forwardly of the vehicle, said swivel means including a pair of vertical plate members projecting rearwardly from the bracing assembly in parallel spaced relation to the longitudinal axis, said plate members having a plurality of aligned apertures, a connecting pin extending through one pair of'said aligned apertures through which one of said perpendicular axes extends, a swivel pin extending through the forward portion of the supporting structure about the other of the perpendicular axes intersecting the connecting pin and a clevis connected to the swivel pin and pivotally mounted on the connecting pin between said plate members.

10. The combination of claim 1 including deflector portions secured to the blade sections and extending laterally outwardly therefrom beyond the cutting edge members at an angle to the blade sections.

11. The combination of claim 1 wherein said backing members are channel-shaped having leg portions welded to the blade sections and web portions to which the pivotal support members are pivotally connected.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,653,118 12/1927 Pellette v37-44 1,704,475 3/ 1929 Heinzen 37-44 1,711,488 5/1929 Rising 37-44 1,743,969 1/1930 Heinzen 37-44 1,775,483 9/1930 Biefeld 37-44 2,336,124 12/1943 Phoenix 37-2 2,648,919 8/1953 Brown 37-98 2,684,543 7/1954 Cundiff 37-98 2,916,835 12/1959 Boyce 37-98 3,206,879 9/1965 Grover 37-98 ROBERT E. PULFREY, Primary Examiner. CLIFFORD D. CROWDER, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 172-276 

